Talented Leaders programme targets 10 more regions

The total number of areas that have joined the new Talented Leaders programme – set up to find headteachers to work in schools in need of support – has reached 14.

The government-backed scheme is being run by the charity Future Leaders and was launched into four areas in September: Blackpool, Bradford, Suffolk, and North Lincolnshire.

It was confirmed this week that the scheme is now to expand to a further 10 areas: Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton on Tees, Sunderland, Norfolk, Southend-on-Sea, Bracknell Forest, East Sussex, Medway, Thanet, and Portsmouth.

The scheme has been established after data showed that schools in coastal and rural areas are now among the lowest performing in the country.

Successful applications to the Talented Leaders programme will be matched to suitable schools in agreement with the governors or appointing bodies.

Once appointed, they will work in small local clusters and be supported by a £50,000 government grant, expert mentoring and an on-going development programme. The headteachers will be expected to stay in post for three years at least. The aim is for the programme to deliver 100 school leaders over two cohorts.

Schools minister David Laws said: “We recognise that some schools in rural, coastal or deprived areas can find it hard to recruit great leaders. Through the Talented Leaders programme we aim to recruit 100 exceptional school leaders, that will provide a real leadership boost to a struggling school, help to spread excellence and drive-up standards across the area.”

Heath Monk, CEO of Future Leaders, added: “We have eight years of experience in developing effective and inspiring leaders able to transform the schools that need it most. Working together, we will help (these headteachers to) make an immediate positive impact and to begin long-term, sustainable improvement.”